Previews

Pac'n Roll

Namco brings Pac-Man to the DS, and this time, it seems the company is going all-out to bring us a game that takes full advantage of the system's strengths.

Spiffy:

Great graphics; cool level designs; and fun gameplay.

Iffy:

Constant rubbing can get annoying; collection elements may become dull.

Namco's first Nintendo DS Pac-Man game, Pac-Pix, feels a bit like a tech demo expanded to a full game. But the indications so far from Pac'n Roll are that it's a much more fully realized game. While the version Namco had on display at its recent pre-E3 event still had some rough edges, it's off to a very promising start. Starting with the basic Pac-Man formula, Namco's added in very solid 3D graphics and gameplay.

Logically, it makes sense. If the original Pac-Man, the featureless yellow circle, were 3D, he'd be a ball. And balls roll. It's simple, obvious, and excellently targeted towards the DS. But rather than having the player tilt the level, Super Monkey Ball-style, you actually control Pac-Man like a trackball (classic gamers and fans of esoteric PC accessories are nodding along at this idea.) Using the stylus, you rub the bottom screen quickly to make Pac-Man roll. The faster you rub, the faster he goes. The direction you rub aims his trajectory. If you do a long stroke, you can even do a power roll -- useful for getting up steep inclines.

The game's levels are full 3D and prove that the DS isn't as big of a slouch in this arena as we've feared. While it's hardly PSP quality, the developers at Namco have been able to bring a lot of pizzazz to Pac-Man's world. And, of course, the 3D is integral to the gameplay, thanks to a judicious use of physics that realistically re-create the movements of a ball. Yeah, it sounds obvious, but it's also the kind of game that just won't work if it's off. Fortunately, it's on -- the rubbing is slightly irksome, but Pac-Man reacts exactly how you'd expect to the obstacles presented in his world.

Essentially, the usual Pac-Man gameplay style is much more present here than in the more adventuresome Pac-Man World games. While each level isn't strictly a maze in the most basic sense, inspiration is clearly drawn from Pac-Man's roots. You'll roll Pac through pathways, over chasms (using your speed dash to make it, or doing it via some rudimentary platforming), and over ramps and hills. When you get to these parts, the game almost has a Sonic the Hedgehog meets Tony Hawk feel, which is hardly something to complain about, as unexpected as it might be.